Guilty verdict in Super 8 killing

A jury took about two hours Monday to find Tim Clark guilty of first-degree murder.

The 48 year old from Union, S.C., was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for killing Travis Wallace on Oct. 12, 2015.

The slaying happened at Super 8 hotel at 1716 East Dixon Blvd. in Shelby.

During the week-long trial, Cleveland County Assistant District Attorney Sally Kirby-Turner convinced jurors that Clark was the masked shooter who came into Wallace's room for money, drugs and a gun.

Wallace had spent the weekend at the Super 8 selling methamphetamine and hanging out with people.

Clark came into the room wearing a black bandanna and hoodie and holding a gun to the head of another man who was later charged in Wallace's death. He had the people in the room give up their cellphones and money. Then he demanded more from Wallace.

"He asked Travis for money, drugs and a gun in the bathroom," said Kristie Sheehan, a witness testified during the trial. "Travis said, ‘Just shoot me.’”

Clark fired, and Wallace died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

During her testimony, Sheehan described falling asleep in the room then waking up to the violent outburst.

In addition to murder, Clark was found guilty of robbery with a dangerous weapon.

He was the first of six to face a jury in the fatal shooting. Four of his co-defendants testified against him.

The District Attorney's Office will be making plea offers to the other five suspects in the case, Kirby-Turner said.

Joyce Orlando can be contacted at 704-669-3341 or by email at jorlando@shelbystar.com.